Rush hour management is the cost management of the whole system
Decision 963 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, regulating peak hours, off-peak hours and normal hours of the national power system. Peak hours apply: Days from Monday to Saturday from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM (5 hours/day); Sundays have no peak hours. Normal hours apply: Days from Monday to Saturday: from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM and from 10:30 PM to 12:00 PM (13 hours/day); Sundays: from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM (18 hours/day). Low hours apply: from 0:00 AM to 6:00 AM all days of the week (6 hours/day).
When the economy sets high growth targets, electricity becomes a foundational input for industrial production, services, urban areas, logistics, commerce, data centers and people's lives. The most difficult problem of the power system is not only total daily consumption, but maximum power in certain time frames. If load surges in a few hours in the evening, the power system must mobilize additional high-cost sources, including LNG, oil or backup sources, increasing the overall operating costs of the system, putting pressure on supply, transmission grid and system safety.
To meet a few peak hours, the electricity industry must invest in power sources, grids, reserves and fuel. Therefore, peak hour management is the cost management of the entire system.
Need a fairer, smarter electricity policy
The most important thing is not to look at this policy just through the question "how much more expensive is peak electricity price?" The bigger question is: If electricity use behavior is not adjusted, how much will the national power system have to pay? When the maximum load increases rapidly, solar power is no longer available, hydropower is water-dependent, thermal power is subject to fuel and environmental pressure, the power system is forced to mobilize sources with higher costs to ensure supply.
Therefore, the electricity price at peak hours nearly 3 times higher than low hours is a strong signal. But that signal will only be effective if it is implemented on three principles: Transparency, a roadmap and tools to support electricity users to change their behavior. Transparency so that businesses understand what costs they are paying. A roadmap for businesses to adjust production plans, invest in equipment and organize labor.
Businesses that manage load well, invest in energy saving early, organize flexible production and apply technology will have cost advantages. Businesses that change slowly will be under greater pressure when electricity prices reflect more closely the actual cost of the system.
For management agencies: It is not possible to only use electricity prices to regulate load. It is necessary to synchronize price policies, data, technology, financial support, energy audit, rooftop solar power, energy storage and load adjustment programs.
At that time, each kWh of electricity saved during peak hours not only helps a business reduce bills, but also helps the entire power system reduce investment and operation pressure.
Electricity prices at peak hours are nearly 3 times higher, so it's not just about electricity bills. That is a test for Vietnam's energy management in a period of high growth.
The problem posed is not whether to adjust the electricity time frame or not, but how to adjust it to both be in line with market signals, protect production capacity, and ensure the rights of workers and consumers. That is the balanced, practical and sustainable approach in current electricity management.
